Employment of podiatrists is expected to increase 20 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations. As the U.S. population both ages and increases, the number of people expected to have mobility and foot-related problems will rise. More podiatrists will be needed to provide this care. In addition, podiatrists are increasingly working in group practices along with other healthcare professionals. Continued growth in the use of outpatient surgery also will create new opportunities for podiatrists, as all podiatrists complete 3 years of standardized hospital-based residency training.
Job prospects for trained podiatrists should be good, given that there are a limited number of colleges of podiatry. In addition, the retirement of currently practicing podiatrists in the coming years is expected to increase the number of job openings for podiatrists.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition